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New Water Cooling setup - help

leSLIe

leSLIe

Fully [H]
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
17,424
I want to go water cooling but I'm a newbie :eek: so I need some help from you guys :)

Could you recommend to me a good setup? (not looking to buy an all in one solution like a H50) I'll be overclocking a Core i7. Apparently I would need these parts, but dunno about a good brand or model :(

  • water pump & reservoir
  • radiator
  • cpu water block
  • chipset water block (X58)
  • mosfet water block
  • tubing & fittings
Budget around $300 to $400
I would be buying all these junk in frozencpu.com that's because they ship international and I'm not in the US.
 
Besides overclocking an i7, what are your goals? Silence? Lowest possible temps? Balance of both?
What case do you have? Are you willing to mod it at all?
What is your exact motherboard?
Make sure you do all the reading you can, if you haven't done so already.

Oh, and nice sig rig. :p
 
Well, I'd say a balance between low temps and silence.
I have a NZXT Phantom full tower case (it has four holes for WC tubing) and I'm willing to mod all that stuff
 
What about GPU block?


$300-$400 will be tough to meet with all the blocks you r looking at.


I'd start with at least CPU block and GPU block.
 
SonDa5 said:
What about GPU block?


$300-$400 will be tough to meet with all the blocks you r looking at.


I'd start with at least CPU block and GPU block.
Click to expand...

hmm, I was thinking about a GPU block for a future upgrade, but I can change my mind, after all you guys are the experts ;) I have a HD6970 btw
 
I don't have experience with HD6970. I have experienced fantastic cooling improvements and performance from a decent block on a GTX470. A block on your HD6970 may be a great choice.


I'm not an expert. I just recently built my first water cooled loop. I did alot of research before I finally put it all together. Water cooling is tons of fun.


What MB will you be cooling?
 
I would look at universal waterblocks if you're not planning on overclocking that 6970. I also would not do motherboard watercooling, because it's not worth it on your budget (chipset and mosfet blocks cost around $100 total, a third to a quarter of your budget that should be put elsewhere).

I would also recommend a 3x120 radiator, with a little bit of modding you can fit this at the top of your case.

XSPC Raza: ~$60
Universal GPU waterblock: ~$60
3x120 radiator: ~$60
MCP355: ~$60
Micro-Res V2: ~$25
Tubing and fittings: ~$40
Total cost before shipping: ~$300
 
Wow, that's really too bad you have to order from FrozenCPU. Their prices are just downright awful.
 
CPU Block: XSPC Rasa $60
GPU Block: EK VGA Supreme HF $63
Radiator: Swiftech MCR320 $65
Pump: Swiftech MCP355 $80
Reservoir: XSPC DDC Reservoir Pump Top $50
Tubing: PrimoChill PrimoFlex Pro LRT 1/2" ID 3/4" OD 10' $23 (or similar)
Fittings: Bitspower Chrome Barb for 1/2" ID tubing $3 each/$24 total
Clamps: My personal preference is worm clamps, which you can get at a hardware store $10
I'd also recommend a t-connector and a plug or something like that to make draining easier. That would run another $10 or so.

Total comes to $385 including the extra draining parts before shipping.

It looks like Jab-tech.com does international shipping! I would check that place out using similar parts. I'm pretty sure you would save at least $50 ordering from there compared to FrozenCPU. You can also use coupon code "facebook" to save an additional 5%. Sidewindercomputer.com also ships internationally. For either site it looks like you might have to email customer support, but I've dealt with both owners before and they are very helpful.
 
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SonDa5 said:
What MB will you be cooling?
Click to expand...

I have two core i7 rigs, one super stable for work and the other for OC and gaming, the one that will have the WC setup is a Foxconn Flaming Blade :eek: :D

Cruiza said:
I presume you're OK with externally mounting a radiator then?
Click to expand...

yeah, no problem

Cruiza said:
Wow, that's really too bad you have to order from FrozenCPU. Their prices are just downright awful.
Click to expand...

That's only because they ship international, if you know some other place that can also ship international be sure to tell me :)
 
Cruiza said:
It looks like Jab-tech.com does international shipping! I would check that place out using similar parts. I'm pretty sure you would save at least $50 ordering from there compared to FrozenCPU. You can also use coupon code "facebook" to save an additional 5%. Sidewindercomputer.com also ships internationally. For either site it looks like you might have to email customer support, but I've dealt with both owners before and they are very helpful.
Click to expand...

I'll look into them, thank you :)
now I need to do some more research about WC too ;)
 
You might be able to save yourself some money by buying in whatever country you're in? Otherwise it looks like you do have some other options other than frozencpu.

Also, be sure that the universal gpu block will actually fit the 6790. I would expect it does, but I'd dbl check. Keep in mind the universal blocks will require vrm and probably ram cooling as well, so that's a small additional cost.

I agree with everyone else that not watercooling the mobo is probably a good move, esp for a beginner. I'd start with the cpu and maybe the gpu, then if you decide the mobo requires it, adding those blocks. I've not done research but the flaming blade might be difficult to get blocks for anyway so it might be a moot point.
 
Universal blocks do not "require" RAM and VRM cooling, I know because I've ran cards before without RAM and VRM cooling. It's just a matter of whether or not you are overclocking. Minor overclocks (less than 10%) do not really require additional cooling, while larger overclocks it is recommended to have better cooling.
 
Tsumi said:
Universal blocks do not "require" RAM and VRM cooling, I know because I've ran cards before without RAM and VRM cooling. It's just a matter of whether or not you are overclocking. Minor overclocks (less than 10%) do not really require additional cooling, while larger overclocks it is recommended to have better cooling.
Click to expand...


For ram htat's probly correct, but for some amd cards like my 5870, definitely required vrm cooling even at stock clocks.
 
Well, I had two GTX 275's that ran perfectly fine with just universal blocks with no complaints whatsoever. I also had a GTX 470 that ran without any problems. I guess it also comes down to how good each power system is.
 
Then I guess I'll start with CPU & GPU waterblock. :)

In the future when I might add a mosfet & chipset block, in that case would the Swiftech MCP355 $80 be able to perform properly? or should I be looking for a pump with more head and flow rate?
 
MCP355 actually has a higher head pressure than the MCP655, but lower flow rate. However, if you get a custom top for the 355 like the one Cruiza linked (it's a combination top/reservoir), the 355 will get better head and flow rates, but the flow rates won't quite be up to the 655. The 655 has lower head pressure, higher flow rate, and is generally seen as more reliable. Either will be fine for the system you're planning. The 655 is good for when you have blocks in parallel (tubing splits to multiple paths), where high flow rates are needed, and the system isn't very restrictive. The 355 is good for where you have blocks in serial (one block after another), and restriction is high. Once again, either pump is fine for what you have planned for the future.
 
leSLIe said:
Then I guess I'll start with CPU & GPU waterblock. :)

In the future when I might add a mosfet & chipset block, in that case would the Swiftech MCP355 $80 be able to perform properly? or should I be looking for a pump with more head and flow rate?
Click to expand...

you may want to take a look at the ek kits, if you drill holes you can mount a triple rad on the top inside portion of the case.

ek ships internationally.
if you are going to go and get a swiftech pump, pick up the mcp35x, it has pwm speed control.
So with speed fan, and a multi fan adapter, you can control your pump and your fans.
 
avddreamr said:
you may want to take a look at the ek kits, if you drill holes you can mount a triple rad on the top inside portion of the case.

ek ships internationally.
if you are going to go and get a swiftech pump, pick up the mcp35x, it has pwm speed control.
So with speed fan, and a multi fan adapter, you can control your pump and your fans.
Click to expand...

you mean like this kit?
http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/kits-cases/kits/ek-kit-h3o-supreme-hf-360.html

apparently that's their top of the line kit, how good is that pump?

the prices of their pumps appear to be higher than at frozencpu
http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/pumps-and-accessories/pumps.html
 
The pump is roughly on par from a pressure and flow rate standpoint to a mcp-355, it does so with a lower heat dump, power consumption and noise. Your pump only matters in that it produces sufficient flow as you design your loop. This pump is more than up to the job.

The kit includes everything you will need, and you can pick up a gpu block either full cover or other wise.
At 171 euro (no vat for export I believe), it's probably a much better deal than what you'll get at frozen.
I'm trying to stick to your budget btw, thats why i'm recomending this kit.

It becomes the best performing block, that also has the lowest restriction.


You can probably order from aquatuning that ships internationally.
Performance-pcs.com also ships internationally.

Other things that you should consider getting:
Tim - Indigo Extreme (worth the 20 dollars)
PrimoChill LRT TUbing (Plasticizer free... your tubing will become cloudy after a few months of use).
Another Pair of Compression Fittings from EK for you GPU block.
A Silver Coil and some Biocide to deal with Algae Build up.
And of course use distilled water only.

You should end up well under 400 (US)

If you wish to save some money you can get xspc kits.
The pump is no where near as powerful as either of those pumps above, the radiator if it's an rx series will be superior for low noise operation, the cpu block will be easier to install, and perform within a few degrees of the ek-hf (top block). But it will be less money, and its a capable kit.



Or you can Go Custom but it will cost you a lot more money.
(500 + shipping)
Like I did
IMG_5012.jpg
 
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After compiling the available pump data, I'm leaning towards the Swiftech MCP35X or the MCP655-B. The Alphacool VPP655 looks also interesting, hmm...

pumps.jpg
 
I'd suggest an MCP655 , a 3.120 Swiftech Rad, Heatkiller or recent Apogee block and call it good. Don't have to dump a huge wad of cash on watercooling. If you want to keep it cheap, T-Line your case or for looks do a doublebay res - just be sure to use tape on your barbs and 24 hour test it (wrapped in paper towel) first :D its easy to add things to your loop, mainly - start small and get a better feel for watercooling..its fun to mess with and play around w/... Be sure to use biocide - I like Hydrx as it is an all in one type deal, just add distilled water.. :D

Also I do not suggest that MCP35X, maybe because I'm used to the stronger units perhaps but..looks dinky to me... my MCP655 pumps like a complete beast and is quiet...with a budget like yours, you should have a sweet pump-

Oh, whats the difference between the MCP655 and the -B version?
 
TyrantTru said:
I'd suggest an MCP655 , a 3.120 Swiftech Rad, Heatkiller or recent Apogee block and call it good. Don't have to dump a huge wad of cash on watercooling. If you want to keep it cheap, T-Line your case or for looks do a doublebay res - just be sure to use tape on your barbs and 24 hour test it (wrapped in paper towel) first :D its easy to add things to your loop, mainly - start small and get a better feel for watercooling..its fun to mess with and play around w/... Be sure to use biocide - I like Hydrx as it is an all in one type deal, just add distilled water.. :D
Click to expand...

good info :)

TyrantTru said:
Oh, whats the difference between the MCP655 and the -B version?
Click to expand...

Based on what I've found, the only difference is that the Rev. B has a new chipset controller that lets you adjust the speed and also reduces the high pitch frequency of the MCP655
 
I'd personally not buy anything EK at the moment, they have a big fiasco going down over nickle plating flaking off, and the support has been pretty terrible from Eddy & Gregor on the issue. Quite frankly overall quality has gone downhill in the last few months from them.While the flaking issue wouldn't affect a non-plated block, it's still the same company at the helm and they're not doing so great right now.
 
DarkStryke said:
I'd personally not buy anything EK at the moment, they have a big fiasco going down over nickle plating flaking off, and the support has been pretty terrible from Eddy & Gregor on the issue. Quite frankly overall quality has gone downhill in the last few months from them.While the flaking issue wouldn't affect a non-plated block, it's still the same company at the helm and they're not doing so great right now.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've heard about that. Nasty stuff
I think I'll stick with a full copper WC setup for now ;)

So far I've found these german WC shop sites
http://aquacomputer.de/
http://www.aquatuning.de/

Is there another good german shop?
 
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